10,000 ‘bogus’ tips flood Utah bathroom bill tip line

The controversial bathroom law in Utah has sparked a flood of fake complaints to the state’s tip line. Since the law went into effect, over 10,000 bogus complaints have been submitted online, according to State Auditor John Dougall. The law restricts transgender individuals from using state-owned bathrooms that do not align with their sex assigned at birth.

The online complaint form was created in accordance with House Bill 275, which was signed into law by Gov. Spencer Cox on Jan. 30. Under the law, school children are required to use public school restrooms that align with their birth gender.

Critics of the law have ridiculed the new complaint hotline, with some users submitting fake complaints with song lyrics and memes. Despite the influx of fake complaints, Dougall’s office is obligated to receive and potentially investigate them.

The law, titled “Sex-based Designations for Privacy, Anti-bullying, and Women’s Opportunities,” aims to protect the privacy of women and girls in private spaces. However, transgender individuals in Utah have pushed back against the legislation, stating that it unfairly targets them.

The law requires schools and government entities to contact law enforcement if they receive complaints of law-breaking in state-run “privacy spaces.” While the law has exceptions for transgender adults who have legally amended their birth certificate, it has raised concerns about privacy and discrimination among LGBTQ advocates.

Overall, the flood of fake complaints has created a contentious environment in Utah, with civil rights organizations condemning the law and the complaint form for potentially infringing on the rights and privacy of transgender individuals.